System of control



P. L. MARDIS.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL. APPLICATION FILED III-113.3, 1917.

1,395,349. Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

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P. L. MARDIS.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3.- 1911. 1,395,349.

INVENTOR PGU/ Z. My

A' lTORNEY WITNE SE5:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL L. MABDIS, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'JM. WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

Application filed February 3, 1917. Serial No. 146,427.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL L. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Control, of which the following is a specification. v

My invention relates to systems of control and particularly to systems of control for railway vehicles.

One object of my invention is to provide a railway vehicle which shall be operated jointly or severally by a steam en ine and by an electric motor and be provided with means for insuring the deenergization of the motor, in case the vehicle be operated above a predetermined speed.

Another ob'ect of my invention is to provide a control system for a railwayvehicle which shall comprise a plurality of propelling motors, a generator for supplying energy to the motors, a steam, a gas or an equivalent engine for operatin the generator, and means for operating t e motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation and for simultaneously governing the voltage of the generator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control system of the above-indicated MARDIs, a

-character having a plurality of motors which shall be accelerated in series and inparallelcircuit relation in accordance with the current and also with the voltage and the current delivered'thereto and be provided with means for preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation, in case the voltage of the current supplied to the motors is above a predetermined value.

The, steam locomotives now in service are inefiicient by reason of their inability to utilize the full steaming capacity of the boilerswhen the locomotive is operating at slow speed, as when accelerating or when operating on a grade Thus, during the time a locomotive is being accelerated to normal operating speed, a considerableportion of the boiler capacity is idle which may be utilized for performing useful work.

According to my invention, a turbine-operated generator and a plurality of propelling motors are mounted adjacent to the steam locomotive and, when the steam loco- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N 0V. 1, 1921.

operated by the excess steam produced by the steam locomotive for generating energy to operate the motors which assist in accelerating the vehicle. I

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the main circuits of a system constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a detail diagrammatic view of a modification of'my invention in which an internal-combustion engine is utilized for operating the generator; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the auxiliary control circuits for operating the switches illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings; and F ig. 4 is a side elevational view locomotive.

of a steam-electric plurality of motors M1, M2, M3 and M4, respectively comprising armatures A1, A2, A3 and A4 and field windings F 1, F2, F3 and F4, are adapted to be connected to a generator 1 and to be 0 erated in series-parallel and parallel-circuit relation by means of the switches S1, S2, S3, P1 and P2. The switches S2 and P1 are provided with interlock switches S2-out and Pl-out which are closed'when the switches S2 and P1 are denergized, and the switches P2 and P1 are rovided with interlock switches P2-in and l-in which are closed when the switches P2 and P1 are energized. The generator 1 embodies an armature 2 which is mounted on the shaft 3 of a steam turbine 4,'a field winding 5 which is connected in series with an exciting generator 6 and a series field winding 5a. The exciting generator 6 embodies an armature 7 which ismounted on the shaft 3 of the turbine 4, a series field -winding 8 and a shunt field winding 9.

A rheostat 10,, comprising sections 11, 12 and 13, is inserted in the circuit of the exciting generator and is adapted to limit the current supplied to the generator field winding 5. A rheostat 14 is provided for governing the excitation of the exciting generator 6. A volt meter 16 and an am ere meter 17 are provided for giving an in ication of the voltage and the current produced by the generator 1, and a volt meter 18 is provided for giving an indication of the voltage produced by the exciting generator 6.

A limit switch L1 is provided for governing the acceleration of the motors in accordance with the amount of current supcircuit of the generator 1 for preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation in case the generator voltage be above a predetermined value and in a manner to be described later, and a second voltage relay 21 is connected across the circuit of the generator 1 for a purpose to be described later. A power relay PR, which is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, is provided with a voltage coil 22 which is connected across the circuit of the generator 1 and a current coil 23 which is connected in series with the generator 1. Coils 24 and 25 of the overload strip switches 0T1 and GT2 are inserted in circuit with the generator 1 for protectingthe motors M1 to M4, inclusive, and the generator 1 against an excessive current. Reversing switches RS, of a usual and well-known type, are provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the motors M1 to M4, inclusive.

Referring to the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the armature 2 of the generator 1 and the armature 7 of the exciting generator 6 are mounted upon a shaft 26 of an internal combustion engine 27. I

ln the system of Fig. 3, a master controller MC, a reverser interlock drum MR and an apparatu PK coperate for controlling the operation of the switches S1, S2, S3 and P2 and the reversing switch BS. The master controller embodies contact segments 29 and 30 which are adapted to be moved in a forward and a reverse direction for engaging the contact fingers 31, 32, 33.. 34, 35 and 36 to control the operation of the apparatus PK and the reversing switch ES. The reverser interlock drum MR embodies two movable contact segments 37 and 38 which are adapted to engage the contact fingers 39 to 44, inclusive, for selectively energizing the. coils r and f to govern the operation of the reversing switch RS. A circuit 45, which is connected to the exciting generator 6, includes a resistor and is adapted to energize the various coils which are connected to the master controller MC The apparatus PK embodies a rack bar 47 which meshes with a pinion 48 mounted on a shaft 49 of a controller 50. Two pistons 51 and 52, which operate within the cylinders 53 and 54, are connected to the rack bar 47. Adjacent to the cylinders 53 and 54 are provided an on magnet-valve 55 and an off magnet-valve 56., The on magnet-valve 55 is controlled by a coil 57 so as to connect the cylinder 53 with a source of air pressure 58 when the coil is energized and to release the cylinder 53 of any air pressure contained therein when the coil 57 is deenergized. The ofi' magnet-valve 56 is provided with a coil 59 which is adapted to release the cylinder 54 of air pressure when energized and, when denergized, to connect the cylinder to a source of air pressure 60.

As the operation of the apparatus PK is well-known, it is deemed inadvisable to com-. pletely explain such operation here. A stepby-step movement of the rack bar of the apparatus PK in a forward direction is obtained by energizing the coil 57 of the on magnet-valve for a prolonged period and intermittently energizing the coil 59 of the off magnet-valve. In order to return the apparatus PK to normal position, the two coils 57 and 59 of the on and of the 0K magnet-valve are simultaneously deenergized.

The controller 50, which is mounted upon the shaft 49, embodies two movable contact segments 61 and 62 that are adapted to engage the contact fingers 63 to 67, inclusive, for a purpose to be described later. An arm 68 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 49 for controlling the operation of therheostat 10 when moved to engage the contact terminals 69 to 76, inclusive.

Assuming the reverser interlock drum MB. to be in a forward position and the master controller MC to be moved to the forward position. a, a circuit is completed from a tap extending from the resistor 46, through the contact fingers 31 and 32, which are'bridged by'the contact segment 29, contact fingers 63 and 64, which are bridged by the contact segment 61, interlock switch Pl-out, and the coil of the switch S2 to a second tap of the S3 are operated and a circuit completed from the generator 1, through the motors M1 to M4, inclusive, which may be traced from one terminal of the enerator armature 2,

through the series-held winding 5a, coil 24. of the overload tri switch 0T1, switch S1,

motors M1 and J. 2 in parallel, switch S2,

motors M3 and M4 in parallel, switch S3,

coil 25 of the overload trip switch 012, and the current coil 23 of the 'power relay PR- to the other terminal of the armature 2.

Thus the motors M1 to M4, inclusive, are operated in series-parallel-circuit relation.

in order to automaticall effect the acceleration of the motors 1 1 to M4, inclusive, through their various series and parallel' 'ositions, the master controller MC is moved to position a. In position a of the,

master controller, a circuit is completed from the resistor 46, through contact fingers 31 and 35, which are bridged by the movable contact segment 29, and the coil 57 of the on magnet to another tap of the resistor 46. A second circuit is completed from the resistor- 46, through the contact fingers 31 and 36,- which are bridged by the movable contact segment 29, coil 59 of the off magnet-valve 56, current-limit switch L1, power-limit relay PR, and interlock switch P2-in or the contact fingers 66 and 67, which are bridged by the contact segment 62, to another tap of the resistor 46. The coils 57 and 56 of the on and oil magnet-valves. are simultanenously energized, whereby the cylinder 51 is supplied with air pressure and the cylinder 52 is relieved of the air pressure contained therein, thus effecting a forward movement of the apparatus PK. The arm 68 is disengaged from the contact terminal 69- and engages the contact terminal 7 O to exclude the por-v tion 11 of the rheostat 10 from the circuit of the field winding 5 of the generator 1. As the excitation of the generator 1 is increased, an increased current is supplied to the motors M1 to M4, inclusive, which .operates the limit switch L1 and, for the present time, prevents a further movement of the apparatus PK. When the current through the motors is reduced sufficiently to permit the limit switch circuit of the coil 59 of the OE magnet, the apparatus PK is again advanced in a forward direction to exclude the portion 12 of the resistor 10 from the circuit of the field winding 5. In a like manner, the apparatus PK is advanced in a forward direction until the contact arm 68 engages the contact finger 73 and the contact fingers 66 and 67 become disengaged from the contact member 62,- at which time the transition of the motors from series-parallel to parallel-cin cuit relation is effected. In the transition of the motors from series-parallel to parallel-circuit relation, the switch P1 is operated by means of the contact finger engaging the contact segment 61, and the switch P2 is operated by reason of the contact finger 64 becoming disengaged from the movable contact member 61 so as to close the interlock switch S2-0ut.

The circuit completed by the switches S1, S3, P1 and P2 from the generator G1 through the motors may be traced from one terminal of the armature 2, through the field winding 5a and coil 24, where the circuit divides, one branch extendin through the switch S1, motors M1 and hi2 in parallel, switch P1, and coils 25 and 23 to the other terminal of the armature 2, and the second branch extending through the switch P2, motors M3 and M4, switch S3 and the coils 25 and 23 to the other terminal of the armature 2.

L1 to close the cuit with the field winding 5 of the generator 1 and thus reduce the voltage of the current supplied to the motors before the latter are connected in parallel-circuit relation. In case the voltage of the current supplied to the motors is not; reduced to a safe value for effecting the transition and for operating the motors in parallel-circuit relation, a voltage relay 20 is provided for preventing the connection of the motors in parallel-circuit relation until the voltage of the current supplied to the motors is reduced to a safe operating value. When the contact fingers 66 and 67 become disengaged from the contact members 62 and before the switch P2 is operated to close the interlock switch P2-in, the coil 59 of the otf magnet-valve 56 is completely under the control of the voltage switch 20 which is connected across the circuit of the generator 1, and no energy is supplied to the coil of the off generator 1 is reduced to a safe operating value.

When the transition ,of the motors from series-parallel to parallel-circuit relation has been effected, the acceleration of the mo-' tors is elfected by the limit switch L1 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the series-parallel operation of the motors.

The power-limit relay PR, comprising the coils 22 and 23, is provided for governing the acceleration of the motors in accordance with the power supplied by the generator 1 and thus preventing the overloading of the engine which drives the generator. When the generator 1 is operated by an internal-combustion engine, it is essential that the power which is furnished by the generator 1 to the motors be limited and, although it is not essential that the power be limited when the generator is operated by a turbine, it is a very desirable operating feature.

As the above system is preferably operated in connection with a steam locomotive,

magnet until the voltage of the it is desirable that the motors be denergized when the locomotive is operated at normal speed, and, for effecting this function, the

current relay 19 and the voltage relay 21.

motors are operated at normal speed. the current passing through the motors is insufiicient for operating the current relay 19, and the voltage of the motor current is of a value sufficient for operating the voltage relay 21 and, accordingly, the circuit through the coils of the switches S1 and S3 is op ned and the switches S1 and S3 are released to break the circuit of the motors M1 to M4, inclusive. Once the switches S1 and S3 are released by means of the relays 19 and 21, it is impossible to again close the switches S1 and S3 without first reducing the voltage of the generator by placing the is in the posittion to insert the complete re sistance of the rheostat in circuit with the winding 5 of the generator 1 and thus reduce the voltage of the current supplied to the motors M1 to M4, inclusive. The transition of the motors from parallel to seriesparallel-circuit relation is also efi'ected when the master controller is returned to position a.

,In case it is desired to operate the motors M1 to M4, inclusive, in a reverse direction, the master controller MC is moved through positions a, b and c in a manner similar to that described in connection with the forward operation of the motors.

Variations in the system andarrangement and location of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention, and such modifications areintended to be covered by the appended claims,

I claim as my invention:

1.,In a system of control for an electric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of propelling motors, and a generator for supplying energy to said motors, of means governed in accordance with the current and also with the voltage and current supplied by the generator for simultaneously controlling the circuit relation of the motors and the voltage of the current produced by the generator. r

2. In a system of control for an electric vehicle, the combination With a plurality of propelling motors, and a generator for supplying energy to said motors, of pneumatic means for effecting the connection of the motors in various circuit relations and for governing the voltage of the current proplying energy to said motors, of pneumatic means for operating the motors in various circuit relations and for governing the voltage of the current supplied by t e generator, and automatic means for governing said pneumatic means in accordance with the current and voltage and also with the current supplied by the generator.

4. In a system of control for an electric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of propelling motors, and a generator for supplying energy to said motors, of means for connecting the motors in various circuit relatitons and for governing the voltage of the current supplied by the generator, and means for automatically governing the firstmentioned means in accordance with the current and voltage supplied by the generator.

5. In a system of control for an electric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of motors, of means for connectin the motors in various circuit relations, an means concurrently governed by certain voltage and current conditions foropening the motor cire cuit in case the motors are operated above a I predetermined speed.

6. In a system of control for a steamelectric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of motors, and a generator for supplying ener y to said motors, of means for connecting t e motors in various circuit relations, and means concurrently governed for opening the generator circuit in case the motors are operated above a predetermined speed.

7. In a system of control for a steamelectric vehicle, the combination with a plu-. rality of motors, and a generator for supplying energy to said meters, of means for connecting the motors in various cirenit relations and for governing the voltage of the with the current and voltage and also with the current produced by said generator.

by the motor voltage and motor current tion and for varying the generator 9. In a control system for a steam-electric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of propelling motors, and a generator mounted adjacent to the motors for supplying energy thereto, of means automatically controlled in accordance with the plied by the generator for connecting the motors 1n series and in parallel-circuit relavoltage to accelerate the motors when the same are connected in series and in parallel-circuit relation. 7

10. In a control system for a steam-electric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of propelling motors, a generator for supplying energy to the motors, and a steam engine-for propellingthe generator, of means governed by the current supplied by the generator for connecting the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation and for varying the generator voltage to accelerate the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation.

11. Ina system of control, the combination with for connecting the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, ofmeans for deenergizing the motors in case the motor current be lowered below a predetermined amount and the motor voltage be raised above a predetermined value. v

12. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors, and means for connecting the same in various circuit relations, of acurrent relay and a voltage relay disposed in the motor circuit for deenergizingthe motors in case the motor current is lowered below a predetermined amount v and the motor voltage is raised above a predetermined value.

13. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors, and means for connecting the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, of means for preventing the transition of the motors from series to arallel-circuit relation in case the voltage 0? the current supplied'to the motors is above a for deene'rglzing. the motors in .case the motor current is lowered below a predetermined amount and the motor voltage is raised above a predetermined value.

14. In a s stem of control, the combination with a p urality of motors, of means for connecting the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, and means for preventing the transition of themotors from series to parallel-circuit relation in case the voltage 0 the current supplied to the motors is above a predetermined value.

15. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors, and a generator for supplying energy to the motors, of means for operatin the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, means for effecting acceleration of the motors in series and in current and voltage sup- Y a plurality of motors, and 'means predetermined value, and means parallel-circuit relation, and means for preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation in case the. voltage produced by the generator is above a predetermined value.

16. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, a plurality of motors connected to the supply circuit, and means for operating the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, of means for governing the acceleration of the motor in series and in parallel-circuit relation in accordance with the current and also with the voltage and current supplied to the motors.

17. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motors, and means for operating the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, of means for governing the acceleration of the motors in accordance with the power supplied thereto, and means for preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation in case the voltage of the current. supplied to the motors is above a predetermined' value.

18. Ina system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, a plurality of motors connected to the supply circuit, and means for connecting the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation, of means for governing the acceleration of the motors in series and in parallel-circuit relation in accordance with the current and voltage supplied thereto.

19. In a system of control for a steamelectric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of motors, and a generator for supplying ener to the motors, of means for connecting t e motors in series and 1n parallel-clrcuit relations and for governmg the voltage of the current produced by the generator, and means for preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation when the voltage produced by the generator is above a predetermined value.

20. In a system of control for a steamelectric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of motors, a generator disposed adjacent to the motors for supplying energy thereto, and an engine for operating the generator, of means for connecting the motors in series and in parallel circuit relation andfor controlling the volta e produced by the generator, and means or preventing the transition of the motors from series to parallel-circuit relation in case the voltage produced ,b the generator is above j generator, of means for connecti g the motors in various circuit relations and for governing the voltage supplied by the enerator, and means concurrently governe by the motor voltage and motor current for '0 min the enerator circuit in case the vehicle is operated above a predetermined speed.

22. In a system of control for a steam-elem tric vehicle, the combination with a plurality of propelling motors, a generator disposed adjacent to the motors for supplying energy thereto, and an engine for operating the generator, of means for connecting the generator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of January, 1917.

PAUL L. MARDIS. 

